Fla. Teen Dies from Fireworks Mishap

Orlando Sentinel

July 06—A 16-year-old Tampa boy died after a firework mishap Thursday night, Tampa TV station WFTS reported.

The report said the teenager attempted to deploy a large "mortar" by holding the firing tube in his hand.

He sustained injuries to his left hand and chest cavity when the tube unexpectedly exploded.

Paramedics rushed him to Tampa General Hospital and he died just after midnight, the station's website noted.

Officers are continuing to investigate the cause of the explosion which police are calling "an accident."

According to Consumer Products Safety Commission, over 7,000 Americans suffered injuries due to fireworks in the month around the 4th of July holiday in 2016. Each year about seven people are killed in fireworks-related mishaps.